Indonesia to Study Mental Health Impact of Child Online Protection Regulation

The Indonesian government will conduct a multi‑year study to assess how new rules governing children’s access to digital platforms affect mental health and wellbeing. The research will evaluate the impact of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection, known as PP Tunas, which restricts children’s access to several high‑risk platforms. According to officials, the study will track indicators including depression and anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, cyberbullying exposure, and daily screen time. Details of the initiative were outlined in a report by ANTARA.

PP Tunas came into effect on 28 March 2026 as part of Indonesia’s broader effort to strengthen digital safeguards for children and protect personal data online. The regulation places limits on children’s use of platforms considered to pose higher risks. In its initial phase, the policy targets eight widely used platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

Evaluating the Regulation’s Impact on Child Wellbeing

Imran Pambudi, Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups at the Ministry of Health, said the study will assess a broad set of indicators related to children’s wellbeing. These include the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, daily screen time, cyberbullying incidents, access to mental health services, and measures of family wellbeing.

The evaluation will be conducted jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. Researchers will carry out a baseline assessment, followed by a review after six to twelve months and a mid‑term evaluation over a 24‑month period.

The study will apply a mixed‑methods approach, combining quantitative data with qualitative insights. This is intended to capture changes in mental health symptoms, sleep patterns, exposure to online content, and broader social impacts associated with digital platform use.

Rising Concerns Over Children’s Online Exposure

Officials say the restrictions aim to address risks associated with children’s increasing exposure to social media and online platforms. Pambudi noted that children’s brains are still developing and may be particularly vulnerable to digital environments designed around rapid feedback and reward mechanisms.

He cited data from Menur Mental Hospital in Surabaya showing a sharp rise in cases linked to pornography exposure and online gaming among children between 2022 and 2025. Recorded cases of pornography exposure increased from 27 to 133 during this period, while cases related to online gaming rose from 74 to 360.

According to Pambudi, the increase may reflect both changing patterns of digital use and improved reporting mechanisms. Either possibility, he said, highlights the need for stronger preventive measures, better digital literacy, and more effective reporting systems to protect children and adolescents online.

Behavioural Effects of Social Media Engagement

Pambudi explained that social media platforms often deliver rapid and measurable feedback in the form of likes, comments, and follower counts. These signals can act as “micro‑rewards” that the brain interprets as socially significant, reinforcing repeated engagement.

Over time, such patterns may influence brain regions responsible for self‑control, emotional regulation, and reward processing. In some respects, he said, these behavioural responses resemble patterns observed in substance use or gambling addiction.

Recent meta‑analyses and longitudinal research have also found links between early exposure to social media and a higher risk of psychological disorders in late adolescence. Researchers attribute these risks partly to factors such as interpersonal distrust, disrupted sleep patterns, and negative self‑image.

Part of Indonesia’s Broader Online Child Safety Strategy

The PP Tunas initiative forms part of a wider national strategy to improve protections for children in digital environments. Previous efforts have combined regulatory measures with public awareness campaigns and digital literacy programmes. Initiatives highlighted in Indonesia’s regulation and support platforms for child online safety and multi‑faceted measures to safeguard children online demonstrate how policymakers are increasingly combining governance frameworks with education and prevention strategies.

By evaluating PP Tunas through a structured research programme, policymakers aim to better understand how regulatory interventions affect children’s behaviour, mental health, and overall wellbeing in an evolving digital landscape.